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Undue Influence: Monsanto Protection Act Just the Tip of the Genetically Engineered Iceberg

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Undue Influence: Monsanto Protection Act Just the Tip of the Genetically Engineered Iceberg

by

Abby Zimet

It seems the latest Monsanto-coddling legislation is but a logical next step in a decades-long, well-funded network of government-embedded protections enjoyed by what was from its start a chemical company, says ascathing new report from Food & Water Watch. The group traces Monsanto's toxic history - saccharin, DDT, Agent Orange, seeds genetically engineered to withstand massive, growing amounts of (Monsanto) herbicides and pesticides, artificial growth hormone rBGH; its bloated numbers - 404 facilities in 66 countries, plants grown on over 282 million acres worldwide, including 40% of U.S. farmland, $11.8 billion in net sales, $62,356,730 spent in the last two years on U.S. lobbying efforts; and its strong ties to lawmakers, regulators and researchers, including decades packing the Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency and US Department of Agriculture - which has never denied a Monsanto application, and which consulted with Monsanto on its so-called organic food standards. The report also suggests actions to stop them. Reading it is a good first step.

Further

Lord, what would John Lennon have made of the Trump monster? Marking Thursday's 36th anniversary of Lennon's murder, Yoko Ono posted a plea for gun control, calling his death "a hollowing experience" and pleading, "Together, let's bring back America, the green land of Peace." With so many seeking solace in these ugly times, mourns one fan, "Oh John, you really should be here." Lennon conceded then, and likely would now, "Reality leaves a lot to the imagination."